Micah Richards questioned Manchester City star Manuel Akanji and his capability to play in the holding role after the 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
City played out another score draw in the Premier League yesterday, dropping points to their bogey team at the Etihad Stadium.
It always seems that Spurs give City trouble – and yesterday was no different.
Heung-min Son scored at both ends inside the first 10 minutes to set the game alight, but City then got their noses ahead through Phil Foden.
In the second-half, Giovani Lo Celso equalised, before Jack Grealish put City ahead again.
But there would be time for another equaliser from Dejan Kulusevski.
City were enraged at the end when referee Simon Hooper blew up for a foul when Grealish had been played in on goal by Erling Haaland.
There was a lot of talk about that decision after the game, but Richards also spoke a bit about Manuel Akanji…
Micah Richards questions Manuel Akanji in the holding role after Tottenham draw
Yesterday saw Switzerland international Akanji once again operate as a holding midfielder alongside Rodri.
The star has had some good outings there recently, including against Liverpool last weekend.
Pep Guardiola seemingly feels he is the best option to play there while John Stones is building his fitness back up, but yesterday was a bit of a struggle for him.
After the game, Richards expressed his concerns. He said: “I think it’s down to when John Stones plays, he nullifies that threat. Akanji is a very good defender, but when he goes into midfield, he doesn’t stop attacks as much as he should. He’s always too far in front of the ball or a little too deep. His build-up is fine, but just nullifying that space in the middle of the park.
“Rodri is very good at winning the first one, but when the ball goes over his head he’s not really got the pace t get back.”
Akanji was criticised by pundit Craig Burley after City’s 3-2 win over RB Leipzig, in which Akanji was at fault for the opening goal by the visitors.
City need John Stones back
£180,000-a-week star Akanji has had some decent outings in that position next to Rodri, but it is clear Stones is being missed at the moment.
The England international is magnificent playing alongside Rodri and doesn’t allow as many attacks to come to fruition as Akanji, who recently stated that he had been watching tapes of Stones to learn the role.
During the Treble-winning season, Stones and Rodri were an absolutely formidable pairing and Pep Guardiola really needs the former back in the side.
Stones has more experience in the position than Akanji and the team will have more control of things when he’s back in the side.
